Resource Use Efficiency of Fennel Cultivation in Rajasthan: An Economic Analysis

The study assessed the resource-use efficiency of fennel cultivation in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan. The results indicated that the fennel cultivation was a profitable enterprise, with `2.14 proceeds per rupee spent on its cultivation. Results of the Cobb-Douglas model revealed that the farmers were inefficient in using the resources. A seed was under-utilized, while fertilizers, human labour, machine labour, manure, irrigation and plant protection chemical were found to be over-utilized. The coefficient of multiple determination (R2) was observed at 0.602. Enhanced extension services for resource management and on-field technical guidance to fennel growers through agricultural departments or regional KVKs, regarding the application of fertilizers, chemicals and seeds could help farmers to use these resources efficiently.